Montgomery County Fire Chief Richard Bowers (left) and County Councilwoman Nancy M. Floreeen (second from left) join County Executive Isiah Leggett (far right) in congratulating Jimmy Nerantzis and Cathy Nerantzis as "Everyday Heroes" during a county ceremony Monday morning. Also honored but not pictured was William Fast. The three aided Rockville resident Shari Fast, who collapsed as she prepared for her daily run.

When Rockville resident Shari Fast collapsed three months ago while stretching for her daily run, her two friends and her husband rushed to her aid before an ambulance arrived.

County fire and rescue officials say that was instrumental in saving her life.

"I'm amazingly grateful to them and I'm very thankful to God, too," she said. "I don't know if I would be here if it were not for them."

Cathy Nerantzis said after her friend and running partner collapsed in her arms June 17, she called Fast's husband, William, who alerted 911, and then began rescue breathing. Nerantzis' husband, Jimmy, and William Fast arrived moments later and began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Fast, 46, was taken to Montgomery General Hospital in Olney where emergency room staff used cooling pads to minimize lasting damage to her brain and organs. She would eventually be taken to Washington Hospital Center to have a small tear in one of her coronaries repaired.

"I was delighted to be able to help Shari," Nerantzis said. "I'm just really thankful that she's doing so well now."

Even though they say they were only helping a woman they all love, Nerantzis, her husband and William Fast were recognized by county Fire Chief Richard Bowers and other officials Monday morning as "Everyday Heroes" for their willingness to jump in and provide aid.

Montgomery General staff, a Silver Spring teenager and former county Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Pete Piringer were also honored during the brief ceremony in Rockville.

County Councilwoman Nancy M. Floreen (D-At large) of Garrett Park said each of the honorees deserved high praise.

"Public service is about all of us and it is just such an honor to be in the same room with all of you," she said. "You're what makes our jobs easy, frankly. It is the commitment [we have] to each other here in Montgomery County that makes this a great place."

Thomas Miller, a 16-year-old sophomore at Northwood High School in Silver Spring, said he appreciated the accolade, but only did what came naturally when he and a Prince George's County firefighter were the first to arrive after a 45-year-old man was struck by a car while crossing Colesville Road near Montgomery Blair High School on Aug. 14.

"I just reacted and I just knew what I had to do and that was to try and save this guy's life," said Miller, who was on his way to downtown Silver Spring at the time.

He and the firefighter created a tourniquet for the man's left arm and administered CPR until rescue workers arrived, Miller said.

The man, Wayne Darryl Lee, of no fixed address, was taken to Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, where he died from his injuries, Lt. Paul Starks, county police spokesman, said in a previous interview.

Jeaddy Miller, the teenager's mother, said her son is always willing to lend a hand and is considering a career in the Fire and Rescue Service.